RUGBY: Rob Walton’s Memorial game at Rugby Lions

Lions kick-off their season with their fundraising game in memory of head coach Rob Walton, who died on holiday in France last summer.

Lions will play one of his former clubs, Birmingham & Solihull at Webb Ellis Road today Saturday (August 6) kicking off at 3pm.

Newly promoted Lions will be competing in Midlands 2 West (South) in the coming season. Their opening and closing league games are both against Earlsdon, starting with a home fixture on September 10 and finishing away from home on April 22.

It had been hoped there would be some local derbies with Old Laurentians, but after their relegation from Midlands 1 East, OLs have been allocated to Midlands 2 East (South) instead.

After just missing out on promotion last time, Newbold have another season in Midlands 1 East, while Rugby St Andrews make the swap from the East to Midlands 3 West (South).